On September 12 and 13, 2014, your Diocesan Council held their 7th annual retreat at the Christ Center at Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center – our first retreat at one of our own facilities. Twenty-seven Council members and Episcopal House staff gathered to chart the strategic priorities for the year ahead.
The theme of the retreat was "The Kingdom of Heaven is Like…." As we discussed how and where God called us to be active in life of the diocese, we found ourselves discovering all that Cross Roads has to offer: Beautiful modern accommodations, ample meeting facilities to allow the Council to function in a variety of formats, a friendly and helpful staff, and Cross Roads' signature delicious coffee cake. But above all, as many Council members remarked, "A sense of being connected to God trough the beauty of nature in this place."
It was these surroundings that inspired the Council to discuss plans to support the various ministries and initiatives within the diocese, including Hispanic and Latino Ministries, empowering laity, and social justice ministries including a collaborative effort with the New Jersey Lutherans and our Episcopal counterparts in Central and South Jersey on advocacy in Trenton. Also during our time together we explored various Bible passages dealing with God's kingdom, and shared reflections on our own personal journeys.
Diocesan Council members made a concerted effort to help deepen the connections with Cross Roads, our own camp and conference center, owned jointly with the Lutheran Synod of New Jersey. Said one member who attended the retreat, "This is a remarkable conference center, and what makes it even more remarkable is that it is ours. A hidden gem on Schooley's Mountian available to all of us!" Future events, such as one of the three Confirmation retreats next spring, are being planned for the year-round facility, which can accommodate groups of any size in various winterized retreat centers.
